The two students identified as Suryakant Jena and Ranjan Das of Pathria village were admitted to the Nayagarh District Headquarters Hospital (DHH).
Sources said, the cracker kept inside a bag exploded when a student was trying to light up a LED bulb using a battery in the absence of teacher.
On the other hand, the tuition teacher said the battery itself exploded and there was no cracker in the bag.
"Suddenly I got information that two students sustained injuries when a battery kept in the bag exploded. We admitted them to the Khandapada hospital, from where the children were referred to the DHH," said teacher Trinath Sahu.
People were also seen buying sweets to celebrate the festival of lights.
Following the Supreme Court’s directive, crackers shop are only allowed in open spaces.
Ashok Kumar Sahu, a crackers trader in Bhubaneswar, said, “After the restrictions on opening up of cracker shops, many traders have come to the ground to set up stalls here. However, the business is yet to take off.”
On the other hand, due to campaign on social media against China-made crackers, there is a scarcity of cheaper crackers at the stalls.
Bhagban Nath, a customer, stated, “As the China-made products are not available, price other crackers has steeply gone up.”
Meanwhile, Kali puja began today with religious fervour across the State. A total of 49 mandaps were crowded with devotees and visitors in Bhadrak. Rituals of the goddess are performed amid the conch blow and clinking of cymbals.
Similarly, a special ritual at the peetha of Maa Bhadrakali in Bhadrak was performed. Besides, a ‘Sapatachandi Mahayagna’ was organised from today and will continue for seven days.
A female devotee at the peetha said, “Usually we see an angry Kali goddess at the puja mandaps. But, at the peetha, sober Goddess Kali carrying Lord Krishna in her laps is being worshipped giving us the utmost joy.”
A priest at the peetha said, “Due to the ‘Yajna’ rainfall occurs bringing cheer among human beings and the animal and plant kingdoms.”
In Cuttack, more than 60 mandaps including 20 places where the goddess Kali is decorated with gold and silver jewellery have been set up.
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In Sambalpur, the Kalibadi Puja Committee is celebrating 100 years of its existence and has made special arrangements to celebrate the occasion.
Jayabrata Dey, the adviser to the Kalibadi Puja Committee said, “Since 1916 a ‘Managala Natak’ has been organised after the Kali puja.”
He further stated, “The land on which this mandap has been set up was bought out of the amount collected through entry fees from the natak, adding that the mandap every year becomes a congregation point for different cultures, languages and societies in Sambalpur.
As per reports, the stringent action was taken by the administration on charges of flouting of rules laid out by the Supreme Court of India. The Fire department said that many shops were opened without fire licenses following which they were sealed.
"The cracker market is located in a very sensitive place and it poses danger to nearby residents. As they have not followed fire safety measures, we have seized the shops," Berhampur Superintendent of Police, Pinak Mishra said.
On the other hand, traders' union refuted charges of flouting fire safety norms.
"There are some last year's inventories which we are selling. In two to three days we will get the new stock. We have not flouted any safety norms," said president of Balunkeswar Fireworks Traders Association, Inku Gouda.